Day 70, 9/9/2009, Fremantle

Took the train from Fremantle back into Perth.

I visited the science museum, which is really designed for kids. I fit right in.
The museum's mostly hands on experiments, illustrated various principles of mechanics, electricity, magnetism, optics and acoustics. There are very well equipped science labs where classes from schools all over Perth can participate in specialised programs and experiments. I tried to observe, but was politely, but firmly, ejected from the room. (When I saw my reflection in one of the many mirrors used for optics experiments, I could certainly understand why.) Pam has suggested that I will need more than one barber when I return.

The only dud was a large section on global warning. No science, no experiments, no evidence, just Al Gore style scare -mongering. One section featured an imaginary future news report where coal producers were being fined for 'destroying the planet’. Normally, I'd arc up about such non-sense, non-science, but I was heartened to see that it was being totally ignored. NOT ONE KID LOOKED AT ANY OF THE GREEN PROPAGANDA during the entire time I was there. Kids are smart. That’s what’s going to protect future generations.
Except for the global warming crappola (sorry, I mean 'Climate Change' crappola.) the museum was excellent. Top job.
While I enjoyed the science museum, Pam went to an art museum (and a little light shopping) (must not lose shopping muscle-tone.)

Our final outing was at the Perth fire brigade museum. Old fire trucks, breathing apparatus, hoses, branches and all the other gear used for ‘putting the wet stuff on the red stuff.’ One interesting thing: In Europe and England in particular, where little space in cities was available, fire stations were double storey buildings with a pole to slide down for quick access. So is Perth’s. Except there’s no reason for a double storey fire station in Perth in the 1800s. There was nothing but land available at the time. There were whole suburbs that hadn’t even been discovered yet. Eventually stations were built with the convenience of single storey.

Another interesting fact: The horses were trained to respond to the fire bell and would run to their correct positions in front of the fire cart, where harnesses would be dropped, by a mechanism, onto their backs. Turnout time around one minute.

Had a fine finish to a busy day with drinks and nibbles in the caravan with neighbours Tony (a semi-retired musician) and Helen (a retired chiropractor.)